The Wisconsin Women of Color Network (WWOCN) has announced the availability of scholarships for the 2020-2021 academic school year.
WWOCN, through statewide collaboration, assists women of color in accessing educational resources, health care, social services, and political participation; promotes leadership, cross-cultural awareness, and spiritual and economic well-being in an effort to enrich the lives of women of color, their families and their communities.
Established in 1980, WWOCN brings together women of color through a variety of regular and special programs held around the state. The money raised at events throughout the year go toward the following scholarships that are now available:
◉ Mabel Smith Memorial Scholarship: open only to Wisconsin graduating high school seniors and recent GED/HSED graduates who plan on attending an accredited Wisconsin community, vocational, or technical college;
◉ The Hattie J. Hilliard Scholarship: Wisconsin residents applying for admission to accredited Wisconsin colleges and universities in pursuit of degrees in Art, Graphic Arts or any other art-related field of study;
◉ The Cammer-Hill Grant and the Wisconsin Women of Color Network Women’s Fund: for Wisconsin residents applying for admission to accredited Wisconsin community, vocational, or technical college.
Recipients may receive a scholarship in only one category per school year.
The program details are as follows:
◉ Applicants need to meet the criteria for each scholarship,
◉ Applicants should have a record of service to the community or school; or participation in extracurricular activities;
◉ Scholarship applications are due by May 31 for the 2020 summer or fall semesters, and 2021 spring semester.
◉ Scholarship funds will go directly to the college: The funding will be forwarded to the college or university when WWOCN receives proof of enrollment for the semester.
The application procedure is as follows:
◉ Applicants must write an essay (single-page, double-spaced) on “How this scholarship will help me accomplish my educational goals.” In the essay, specify which scholarship you are seeking: Mabel Smith, Hattie J. Hilliard, or Cammer-Hill. If no specification is made, the WWOCN Scholarship Committee will decide if the application will be considered further.
◉ Applicants must provide at least two (2) letters of recommendation.
◉ Letters of recommendation may be written by an instructor, academic advisor, guidance counselor or other individuals who can attest to your educational abilities or potential for academic success. Letters of recommendation from family members do not qualify.
◉ For Mabel Smith applicants, a high school transcript from the end of the first semester of your senior year must accompany the application form. GED applicants must submit a copy of their Certificate of Completion.
◉ Other applicants will be expected to show evidence of good standing if they are not in their initial term of attending post-secondary education.
Applications will be reviewed and recipients notified of their receipt of a scholarship before the funds are forwarded to the college. Scholarship recipients will be recognized each year at a meeting of the Network. Awardees will be expected to give a presentation on the status of their education at that meeting.
If you are interested in applying for one of these scholarships, click here
or visit WWOCN on Facebook.
You can also write WWOCN at:
Wisconsin Women of Color Network, Inc.
Attn: Scholarship Committee
PO Box 2337
Madison WI 53701-2337
You may also send an e-mail to [email protected].
